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Soul, Singing and Sirens

At the very heart of soul, is the activity or shall I say art form, of singing. I never was much of a singer, though much of my youth was spent in choirs. I was lucky they let me into them, to tell you the truth. Every now and then I could actual reach up and stay in the first soprano range but that was ever so fleeting. The nice thing about choirs is there is a community and communal atmosphere that is welcoming and forgiving.

Singing has always been relaxing, whether my notes were correct or not. It brings you into another realm. You can enter a realm were your troubles temporarily melt away and you feel free. Singing is most definitely spiritual.

(Billy Holiday)

I have always admired the old fashioned prison songs and work chants. They bring to mind Negro Spirituals which we sung on the road to freedom and then again, they paved our way through the tumultuous Civil Rights Movement. I like:

Oh, freedom
Oh, freedom
Oh, freedom over me
And before I be a slave
I be buried in my grave
And go home to my lord
And be free...

This particular song rings out in my mind during difficult times. That spiritual is actually etched in my mind and has existed there sense childhood. It has been with me maybe even further back than childhood because it is a freedom song of my ancestors.

(Muddy Waters)

Now, as a writer of a new novel, singing is once again at the forefront of my creativity and imagination. In my story, an ancient siren decides that she can be even more powerful by hooking herself to a southern blues man. In my new novel, the power of singing must ring out in its most powerful way but the challenge is doing it through the written word.

(Ella Fitzgerald)

As long as my experiences in traveling choirs continue to resonate and the soul of my people speaks out and through me, I think I can carry this story out and onto the pages of a fully realized book. Stay tuned...

I discovered Muddy Waters when I was in high school, when few people listened to his music. He was amazing. I saw him every opportunity I got. His guitar playing was kind of simple, but what a sound he had. I'm glad he got popular again before he died. So much of rock owes its existence to him, Howlin' Wolf, John Lee Hooker, and Jimmy Reed.

I've seen Muddy in documentaries and video--he was something else! You are incredibly lucky to have seen him in person multiple times! I also love Howlin' Wolf--what a talent, as well as John Lee Hooker. They are all inspiring my novel as it develops and helping me shape my characters.

I love Ella - and I'm loving reading back through your blog from the challenge. It was certainly fun. I had posted too about Beltaine - looking forward to reading some more here :)Fil Fil’s Place - Old songs and Memories

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About Me

As an artist, illustrator, writer, author and blogger. Every day is special because it is a day of discovery on this journey called life. I paint, create works-on-paper, write and blog professionally. I teach fine art, botanical arts and crafts, herbalism, aromatherapy, and on various topics on Paganism and Earth-based spirituality. If you are interested in a book reading or signing, workshop, retreat experience or cleansing, go to www.stephanierosebird.com. Now, I have a brand new art website to share my paintings and drawings with you as well. Visit here: http://artist-stephanierosebird.com/